USI Bronstein Center for Healthy Aging and Wellness

What an incredible day at the Minka Learning Lab for Living Well! 🏡💛

We had the joy of welcoming the USI Retirees Group for a hands-on experience focused on aging well at home. With guidance from expert volunteers from our local AARP chapter, we explored practical, affordable ways to make homes safer and more accessible - empowering people to live independently for longer.
From reducing fall risks (especially in bathrooms, where 80% of falls occur) to thoughtful design choices like zero-step entries, grab bars, improved lighting, and removing trip hazards.

💡 Did you know? Long-term care costs can average $6,500–$8,500/month, making aging in place not only meaningful, but often more financially sustainable.
Following the session, guests toured the Minka, seeing these ideas come to life in a home intentionally designed to support aging, dementia, and disability-friendly living for people of all abilities and stages of life.

🔗 Helpful resources:

AARP HomeFit Guide: https://www.aarp.org/membership/benefits/home-life/homefit-guide/
Download the guide directly: https://www.aarp.org/livable-communities/housing/info-2020/homefit-guide-download.html
Aging in place resources: https://www.aarp.org/home-living/smart-guide-aging-in-place/
Indiana 2-1-1 (local support): https://www.in.gov/fssa/indiana-211/

Reagan Lawrence ’27, a biology/pre-med student and Research Assistant with the Geriatrics Workforce Enhancement Program (GWEP), is the recipient of the 2026 USI Trustees Distinguished Merit Award.

Through her work with the GWEP, she had the opportunity to present her research related to dementia and rural areas at a national conference in Boston. This past semester, she was instrumental in bringing a speaker to campus who shared his lived experience with early-onset Alzheimer’s disease.

Her takeaway from these experiences? “Perhaps one of the things I say most is ‘The only thing I am rich in is time,’ ” she says. “If you have a passion for research or community health initiatives, use your time to make an impact on these areas. As college students, there are so many opportunities to get involved on and off campus so do it!”

🎉 Congratulations, Reagan! You make us proud! 🏆

Read more about Reagan at https://www.usi.edu/spotlight/lawrence

USI Bronstein Center for Healthy Aging and Wellness

USI Pott College of Science, Engineering, and Education

2026 Older Adult Mental Health Awareness Day Symposium

Join the NCOA on May 7, 2026, for the 9th Annual Older Adult Mental Health Awareness Day Symposium! A premier event focused on advancing mental health support for older adults. This year’s program features key topics like su***de prevention, workforce strategies, evidence-based approaches, and more.

In partnership with Rush University’s E4 Center of Excellence for Behavioral Health Disparities in Aging, continuing education credits, up to 5.5 hours of free CE for this event, are anticipated for several professions. The symposium will open with a featured conversation between NCOA CEO Ramsey Alwin and mental health advocate Kevin Briggs, known as the “Guardian of the Golden Gate Bridge.”

Each year, Indiana Dementia Strategic Plan members are required to report progress on the plan’s goals. The 2025 report was submitted to the legislature and is now available to view! Check out some of the highlights and visit https://bit.ly/4bU42nC to learn more!

TOMORROW IS THE DAY! Come join this student-led community event in hosted in collaboration with | Usi Bronstein 💜

Our guest speaker, Sean Terwilliger, is living with Alzheimer's disease (the most common form of dementia). He is here to prove that life doesn't end after diagnosis. In fact, after being diagnosed, Sean started a blog, began speaking publicly as an advocate, and is in the process of writing a BOOK! 📚

He is here to answer questions and break the stigma around dementia. Come and listen to what Sean has to say, and feel free to ask questions yourself!

WHEN: April 14, 6 p.m. CT
WHERE: USI, Wright Administration Building, Forum 3

Check out Sean's website to learn more: https://alzfiredup.co

UPCOMING COMMUNITY EVENT: Please join the Bronstein Center for Healthy Aging and Wellness in welcoming Sean Terwilliger - a former technology leader diagnosed with early onset Alzheimer's disease.

Sean will be presenting in-person at USI on Tuesday, April 14, 2026, from 6 - 8 p.m. CT. This event is being hosted in the Wright Administration Building Forum 3.

Sean is a leader in Alzheimer's advocacy and awareness. He is living proof that life doesn't stop after a dementia diagnosis. He has a blog, gives public presentations regularly, and is in the process of writing a book!

Come listen to his lived experience and leave inspired. 💜

Today, our team oriented a new Deaconess Clinic in rural, medically underserved Gibson County -and we were met with such genuine gratitude from the clinic staff. This clinic becomes the 7th of 13 committed to implementing age- and dementia-friendly care standards over the span of our 5‑year USI GWEP grant.
Through the USI Geriatrics Workforce Enhancement Program (GWEP), a Care Manager from Generations will now be embedded directly into the clinic. Providers can refer their older patients for support with crucial non-medical needs such as:

Transportation
Housing and home safety
Fall-prevention programs
Caregiver resources
Community-based aging supports

This partnership strengthens care for older adults and reduces the burden on already stretched clinical teams.
🤝 Collaboration Makes It Possible
This model works because of strong regional partnership between:

Deaconess – frontline healthcare delivery
Generations & SWIRCA – aging-services expertise
USI GWEP – training, funding, and coordination

During today’s orientation, we shared a short video highlighting the impact of this work. The patient testimony was a powerful reminder that behind every referral is a real person, a real family, and a real story.
📹 Watch the video: https://deaconess.wistia.com/medias/nmoirvesxv
We are grateful for the opportunity to help improve care for older adults across Southern Indiana and Western Kentucky. This is why we do what we do.

💚March is Careers in Aging Month!

And if you’ve never considered a career supporting older adults… now is the time to take a closer look. 👀

Our population is transforming faster than ever. By 2030, adults 65+ will outnumber children in the U.S. for the first time in history. Demand for professionals who understand aging is skyrocketing - including a projected 50% increase in the need for geriatric physicians alone. And that’s just one field.

But here’s the exciting part:
Careers in aging aren’t limited to one major or one path.
Healthcare, business, social services, fitness, nutrition, technology, therapy, administration - this field is interdisciplinary, full of opportunity, and deeply meaningful.

Whether you want to improve health outcomes, support families, build community programs, design better living environments, or lead organizations - there is a place for you in the future of aging.

Swipe through the photos to explore:
~GERO 215: Global Aging & Health Care
~Gerontology Minor & Specialty
~Certificate programs (Social Services Designee + Activity Professionals)
~Diverse career paths—from PT/OT to nutrition, radiology, administration, and more

📚Student organizations like STELLAR and Sigma Phi Omega that help you build real-world connections and leadership experience.

If you’re looking for a career with purpose, growth, impact, and endless possibilities… Start here. Our aging population needs you - now more than ever. 💙